Family of Fort Bragg Dodgers fan killed after Giants game pleads for witnesses to come forward

SAN FRANCISCO -- They wore blue T-shirts with the emblazoned message "RIP Jon," and handed out fliers saying, "Justice for Jon.".ï»¿ Then they appealed to the masses, looking for any clue that may provide an answer or some closure.

But mostly on Sunday, family and friends of Jonathan Denver simply cried and hugged. Outside AT&T Park, a few blocks from where Denver was stabbed to death after a Giants game Wednesday night, Denver's father, mother and aunt appealed to the public to help them in their quest for justice, even as the enormity of Denver's death settles in.

"This is an incredibly difficult time for our family as you can imagine," Denver's father, Robert Preece, said at a news conference at Willie Mays Plaza about an hour before the Giants' season finale Sunday vs. the San Diego Padres. "Losing a child is a heartache no parent should endure."

Denver, 24, died shortly after the Giants finished a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers when he was stabbed near Third and Perry streets following a melee between two groups of people shortly after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. That fight occurred just moments after the group argued at Third and Stillman streets, police said.

A 21-year-old Giants fan, Michael Montgomery of Lodi, was taken into custody after the incident but was released Friday evening without being charged. Montgomery's father and mother both have maintained in separate media interviews that their son stabbed Denver in self-defense.

"Both our families, the Montgomery's and us are looking for some sort of closure regarding the situation," Preece said.

Preece said he believes somebody videotaped the incident and urged anyone with information to call the San Francisco Police Department. Calls to San Francisco police Sunday were not returned. Preece did not say why he believes the stabbing was taped.

Denver's mother, Diana Denver, tried to address the gathering but was too overcome with emotion to do so. Jonathan Denver's aunt Jill Haro spoke for her and said the family was "outraged" at media reports they say portrayed their son in a false light.

"My family and the entire community are outraged at the media's portrayal maligning my son's character," Haro said. "They've made untrue statements about his life that are intended to create bias and are completely irrelevant."

The family did not cite specific reports, but a booking picture of Jonathan Denver wearing a Dodgers jacket after a recent DUI arrest was widely circulated. Reports also indicated the confrontation that started the melee may have been started by Denver or one of the members of his group.

The family also indicated they were not pleased with Montgomery's release from custody on Friday. Montgomery walked out of jail after prosecutors failed to file murder charges, citing a lack of evidence.

"The alleged perpetrator was released from jail 48 hours after my son was fatally stabbed, and yet my Jonathan is gone forever," Haro said, reading a statement by Denver's motherï»¿.

Calls to the office of San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon were not returned Sunday, but Gascon said Friday that the burden to prove Montgomery did not act in self-defense is on prosecutors, and that his office needs "independent corroboration of the incident in order to meet the ethical obligation to charge in this case."

Calls to Marty Montgomery, Michael Montgomery's father, went straight to a voice mail that was not taking messages Sunday. His mother, Victoria Montgomery, told the Stockton Record in Sunday's editions that her son was back at home in Lodi and maintained he acted in self-defense. She also said he was struggling with "mixed emotions" over the incident.

"I think he's relieved -- really relieved -- but at the same time, he's still really messed up about what happened, what he did and what he saw," Victoria Montgomery told the Record. "How could you ever get that out of your head? It's traumatizing. I'm sure he's relieved that he's not in jail at this moment, but I don't think he thinks it's over, because it's not over."

Denver's family would not comment on the Montgomery's claims of self-defense. Preece said they were planning to return home to Southern California on Sunday and did not know when they would be back.

"The only thing I know is I lost my son too soon," Preece said, through tears, and a cracking voice. "More than once at that game, my son told me how much he loved me. That will remain the most cherished memory I have."

Anyone with information is urged to contact San Francisco police Sgt. Daniel Dedet at 415-553-9130. Anonymous tips can be left at 415-575-4444.